Gordon MacDonald Receives 2026 John Balletto Distinguished Service Award
Posted:Friday, September 4, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Massage Therapy Foundation Announces Gordon MacDonald as the
2026 John Balletto Distinguished Service Award Recipient
Evanston, IL, September 4, 2026— Massage Therapy Foundation (MTF) announces Gordon MacDonald, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, as the recipient of the 2026 John Balletto Distinguished Service Award. The award recognizes individuals whose dedication to the massage therapy profession, demonstrated through exceptional volunteer service to the Massage Therapy Foundation, goes above and beyond the ordinary.
MTF Past President Kim Kane-Santos and former MTF Trustee Steve Albertson presented the award to MacDonald on August 26, 2026, at American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) 2026 National Convention in Dever, Colo. MacDonald was recognized for his service to the profession and his years of volunteer work for the Foundation.
“Gordon MacDonald has worked tirelessly to foster meaningful relationships between the Registered Massage Therapists Association of British Columbia (RMTBC) and health organizations and institutions across BC, Canada, and internationally, including the Massage Therapy Foundation. Throughout his decade of service, Gordon has brought exceptional professionalism, integrity, dedication, and pride to his role,” said MTF President, Cindy E. Farrar, LMT, BCTMB, CLC.
MacDonald joined RMTBC in June of 2016 as Associate Director and has served as Executive Director since April of 2019. Under his leadership, RMTBC established and expanded its partnership with MTF in publishing the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (IJTMB), an open-access journal focused exclusively on massage therapy research. Gordon recognized that this important relationship would support the RMTBC’s mandate to advance evidence-informed practice, enhance research literacy and research engagement and provide members with access to MTFs valuable resources. RMTBC’s partnership with MTF is a notable example of Gordon’s astute capacity for strategic thinking and building meaningful relationships for the purpose of strengthening and advancing the massage therapy profession. Under his guidance, the profession has earned increased respect, recognition, and inclusion within the broader healthcare community. MTF is honored to celebrate Gordon MacDonald’s devotion to strengthening the massage therapy profession and elevating its standards of care through the presentation of the award.
About the Massage Therapy Foundation
The Massage Therapy Foundation is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to supporting scientific research, education, and community service within the massage therapy profession. The Foundation publishes an open-access, peer-reviewed scientific journal and provides educational resources for massage therapists, educators, and students. MTF fosters international scientific collaboration through grants, resources, training, and services.
For more information contact: Teri Mayo at tmayo@massagetherapyfoundation.org